OCC, SUNY Poly ink transfer agreement involving 12 programs

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Under a new agreement, Onondaga Community College (OCC) students who earn their associate degree can now pursue a bachelor’s degree in one of 12 programs at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly).

The programs include business administration, civil engineering, computer and information science, health-information management, mechanical engineering, and nursing.

OCC President Casey Crabill and Tod Laursen, acting president at SUNY Poly, on Jan. 29 signed a transfer-articulation agreement in a virtual ceremony.

“During an uncertain time for students and families, this agreement provides a tremendous level of certainty for anyone considering bettering their lives through higher education,” Crabill contended.

OCC students will be able to take all of their credits with them to SUNY Poly and then complete work toward their bachelor’s degree in as soon as two years, per a joint news release about the agreement. 

Across the country, college students face a “significant barrier” to graduation when they change programs. The OCC-SUNY Poly partnership addresses that obstacle and ensures that students are prepared to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years, the schools stipulate. 

“SUNY Poly is proud to partner with OCC to simplify the transfer process, especially when so many students face headwinds related to economic uncertainty and the pandemic,” Laursen said. “It is imperative that students are able to pursue streamlined bachelor’s degree pathway options that are not only affordable, but also simple to navigate, providing the experiential learning-based skills that will prepare them to enjoy thriving careers.”